Petter Narsa will race a Lynx at the Swedish Super Snowcross.

Thursday the 26th of January Logan Christian of Christian Brothers Racing will attend the the Swedish Super Snowcross Championship Östersund, Sweden. Joining him will be thirty of the best Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian snowcross racers. Amongst them we can find ISOC Pro Lite drivers Petter Nårsa (reigning Swedish Super Snowcross Champion) and John Stenberg.

The track is built at Östersunds biggest soccer stadium – Jamtkraft Arena. The stadium has 5000 seats and the track is mostly moulded with snow created from snow guns. It´s built mainly on the artificial grass which demands extreme carefullness of the builders. The course is extremely short – about 300 meters (328 yards) – and contains two big jumps and a high velodrome curve. The rest of the track has normal curves, jumps and whoopies. The track is highly inspired by the courses in North America.

Racing starts at 4 pm Swedish time (9 am CST) and the final will be at 8 pm Swedish time (1 pm CST). The Swedish national television will live stream the whole event. They will use four camera angles – two from the course and two from the biggest audience bleacher. Here’s the link to the webcast: http://svtplay.se/v/2682218/sm-veckan_skotercross_26_1_16_00

Minto, ND (January 19, 2012) – It was a weekend of firsts for the USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship at Pine Lake near Gonvick, Minn., January 15. Not only was it the first event on the 2012 USCC race schedule, it was the first cross-country lake race to take place in over a decade and it was the first USCC event ever to start the Pro 600 class heads-up. To complete the string of firsts it was Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s first win since injuring his shoulder after winning the Red Lake I-500 last season and was Yamaha racer Ross Erdman’s first win since he won the Red Lake I-500 in 2007.

The race took place on the frozen surface of Pine Lake. Located about halfway between Bemidji, Minn., and Thief River Falls, Minn., as the crow flies, Pine Lake was traditionally the place where the cross-country snowmobile racing season would kick off. An ice race posed many new challenges for a generation of snowmobile racers who have never had to set up for the more speed and handling-oriented type of competition. USCC officials worked with the local snowmobile club to set up a 10.2-mile course that wound around the icy surface of Pine Lake.

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick put on a clinic in the FXR Pro 600 race, pulling 6-seconds a lap over his next closest competition during the course of the 10-lap, 100-mile race on his way to the win. Yamaha racer Ross Erdman was equally as fast in winning the Arctic Cat Pro Open class and was also top qualifier for the FXR Pro 600 race. Jordan Torgerson swept the AMSOIL Semi-Pro Improved and Polaris Semi-Pro 600 classes on an Arctic Cat.

“The Pine Lake race turned out better than expected,” said USCC Race Director Jesse Strege. “A lake race isn’t typical of a USCC event, but with the poor snow conditions in the region it was our best option. We ended up with some amazing racing and everyone seemed real happy just to back racing cross-country.”

Other class winners include: Bryce Buchanan (Cat), Brothers Motorsports Expert 85; Bryce Buchanan (Cat), Schaeffer’s Racing Oil Expert 85 Improved; Chad Lian (Cat), Carver Performance Vet 30+; Cory Grant (Doo), Arctic FX Masters 40+; Jim Sobeck (Doo), Fox Racing Shox Legends 50+; Dustin Isaak (Cat), Yamaha Sport 85; Boris Mahlich (Cat), Woody’s Sport 600; Boris Mahlich (Cat), Yamalube Sport 600 Improved; Glen Arlaud (Pol), C&A Pro Trail; Jolene Bute (Cat), OSM Magazine Women’s; Matt Feil (Cat) Stud Boy Junior 10-13; Klesey Pladson (Cat), Junior Girls 10-15; Cole Lian (Cat), Camoplast Junior 14-17.

For complete race results click here.

Pleasant Prairie, WI –Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ross Erdman scored a landmark Pro Open class win aboard his four-stroke FX Nytro in the USCC Pine Lake 100 in Gonvick, Minnesota, on Sunday, Jan. 15. Not only was Erdman’s victory against a field of rival two-strokes, but it will also go down in history as the FX Nytro’s first-ever USCC pro race win. Also aboard an FX Nytro, teammate Ben Lindom fought to an unofficial second place in the Semi Pro 600 class, while Erdman likewise ran a strong second in Pro 600 before retiring with a minor mechanical issue just two laps from the finish. Other FX Nytro racers flying the Yamaha flag were Nathan Titus in Pro 600 and Pro Vet, and Jake Jorgensen in Semi Pro Improved. Unfortunately at press time, official timing and scoring challenges prevented a complete tally of these results.

With little snowfall in the Midwest so far this winter, the USCC postponed its first two cross-country races of the season, and instead quickly created the Pine Lake 100. Instead of the typical cross-country course, the Pine Lake 100 featured a lengthy 10.2-mile track laid out entirely on the frozen lake. With numerous sweeping turns and long straightaways marked with small orange and black signs, racers needed keen eyesight in the sometimes-blinding snow dust to even follow the course – especially at speeds averaging nearly 80 mph. Adding to the drama was that officials didn’t even receive final permission to hold the event until the previous Monday night. Fortunately, it all came together on a beautiful Sunday morning that proved historic for the FX Nytro.

The Pro Open race that Erdman and his FX Nytro dominated utilized a time-trial format, with sleds flagged off at half-minute intervals and then running flat out for two laps each. With such a format, it’s impossible to know how you’re doing against other drivers, and so the winning strategy was simply to run hard and fast for the entire race distance of 20.4 miles. Starting about two-thirds of the way down the 17-rider field, Erdman did just that. A previous winner of the grueling three-day USCC Red Lake 500, Erdman owned not only the aggressiveness and focus needed on Pine Lake, but with the FX Nytro’s stupendous four-stroke power, he also had the performance. Racer after racer accelerated onto the course, wringing everything possible from both muscles and sleds, and when the final run had been made, Erdman commanded the race and the podium.

“The whole team worked really hard to get this win,” Erdman said afterwards. “All of the machine prep, the fitness regimen and testing showed not just in my results but the rest of the team’s results as well. I’m really happy and looking forward to more wins this season.” Yamaha’s Eric Josephsen added, “I am really impressed with this team because the race got thrown together at the last second. With little testing time on the ice, the guys still did really well, and to come away with a first and hopefully a second – I’m just over the moon!”

Yamaha racers are sponsored by: DynoJet, Fly Racing, Camoplast, Woody’s, SpeedCell, Fox Racing Shox, Trail Tank, FXR, Yamalube, Ulmer Racing, Evolved Nutrition, and EVS!

Stay up to date with the Yamaha Race team on the Yamaha Snowmobiles, USA Facebook page.

Brian Dick put on a clinic at Pine Lake.

Fertile, Minn. (January 15, 2012) – Christian Brothers Racing riders claimed the Top 2 spots in the Pro 600 class at the USCC Pine Lake 100 in Gonvick, Minn., this past Sunday, January 15. The race is the first on the six-race 2012 USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship as well as the first lake race in over a decade.

Brian Dick, D.J. Ekre and Ryan Simons went to Pine Lake with minimal testing, but the team was confident in its Drift Racing Troy Lee Designs Arctic Cat. The Pro 600 final was set for 10 laps on the 10-mile course set up on Pine Lake and starting position in the three flights of riders was determined during a one-lap qualifying race. Dick, Ekre and Simons all earned front row starting spots and on green Dick got a good start, coming out in second. He passed the first place rider and took the lead on the first lap and proceeded to put on a lake racing clinic on his way to a convincing win. Ekre found his way into second but fell back to third early on. He gave chase on the second place rider for most of the race until he forced a mistake on the other rider and took the place back. Simons finished a strong fifth.

“We had one good day of testing for the ice this past week,” Dick said. “The Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 and the new Procross chassis responded well and we were confident we had a good setup. We couldn’t have scripted a more perfect race!”

Dick also finished second in the two-lap Pro Open race. The Pro 600 win was Dick’s first since he claimed the win at the Red Lake I-500 just one year ago. The win also gives him momentum and the Pro 600 points lead headed into the next event on the six-race schedule, the J&K Marine Beach Bar 200, scheduled to take place January 28-29 in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

The other half of the Christian Brothers Racing team traveled to ERX Motor Park for the ISOC Regional snocross race January 14-15. Garth Kaufman, Logan Christian, Cory Davis and Evan Christian claimed nine podiums including a Pro Stock win by Davis during Saturday’s racing.

Kaufman finished third in Pro Stock and second in Pro Open. On Sunday Christian was the top finisher taking second in Pro Open with Kaufman claiming a third in both Open and Stock. Evan Christian got his share of podium finishes as well, taking second in Transition Combined on Saturday and a third on Sunday and a second in Transition Limited on Sunday.

“My Drift Racing Troy Lee Designs Arctic Cat was working really well at ERX,” said Davis. “There was a lot of talent at ERX and I knew I would have to ride well in the final to win. I just focused on trying to get a good clean start and getting out front and riding a good, clean race. It all worked out and I brought home the win.”

“What a great weekend for the Christian Brothers Racing team,” said team co-owner Dwight Christian. “We set the pace at two different snowmobile races in the same weekend and we did it because everyone on the team worked really hard to make it happen. Our season just keeps getting better.”

Next up the Christian Brothers Racing team will travel to the Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby where Kaufman, Davis, Ekre and Evan Christian will race for the snocross World Championship. Logan Christian will travel to Sweden to race Stadium Cross. For more info on Christian Brothers Racing visit www.christianbrosracing.com.

Gabe Bunke finished third in Pro Open at Pine Lake.

Moorhead, Minn. (January 17, 2012) – The Bunke Racing team kicked off its season at the USCC National Guard Cross-Country Snowmobile Championship race held on Pine Lake near Gonvick. Minn., this past Sunday, January 15. Not only was the race the first on the Bunke Racing team’s schedule, it was also the first cross-country lake race in over a decade. It posed a challenge for the team to come up with a competitive race setup for the twisty course set up on the icy surface of Pine Lake, but the team put in over a week of testing and was able to get their Polaris snowmobiles more than ready for the event.

Gabe Bunke put his sled on podium with a third place finish to start the day in Pro Open. Bobby Menne had a good day in that class as well with both riders feeling more than comfortable on the 10-mile ice course that consisted of right- and left-hand turns and featured two, 1-mile straightaways. Pro Women rider Jen Fuller was totally new to ice racing but took third place in the Womens class, less than a minute behind the winner.

Spencer Kadlec, Jeff Klein and Matt Burkhardt finished 5-6-7 in the five-lap Semi-Pro 600 race. The Top 5 riders in the class were so close that Kadlec was only 12-seconds out of a podium podium spot in the class. This season is only Kadlec’s second racing snowmobiles and it’s his first season on Polaris.

“This was my first lake race and it was definitely a challenge,” Kadlec said. “I learned a lot though and I’ll be looking for a Top 3 finish at the next event for sure.”

Pro riders ran a 1-lap qualifier for the 10-lap, 100-mile Pro 600 race. Bunke and Menne both ended up in the second of three rows to start the race. Bunke got a good start and settled into 8th place while Menne was a couple spots back. On the seventh lap Menne’s sled suffered a track problem that put him out of the race. Meanwhile, Bunke had moved up a spot into 7th, where he would ultimately finish.

“I think the team had a great weekend,” said Bunke. “We got two podium finishes and we were really competitive. Everyone is so fast, but we’re right there so I can’t see why we won’t be able to win some races this season.”

Next up for Bunke Racing is the USCC J&K Marine Beach Bar 100 in Detroit Lakes, Minn., January 28-29. For more info on Bunke Racing visit www.bunkeracing.com. You can also follow Bunke Racing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BunkeRacing

At the end of 2011 MYLAPS signed an agreement with Impact Software Group of John Dains to acquire the Trackside Software. This strategic partnership in the Motocross market will create a complete turnkey Race Management Software and integrated Transponder timing solution for the Amateur and Pro Motocross markets. As part of this agreement John Dains will become a full time employee of MYLAPS to further develop and support the Trackside Software.

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Hibbert with Team Russia.

January 18, 2012 – Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert is prepared to reclaim his world title at the FIM Snowcross World Championship in the Ivanovo region of Russia February 25. This year marks the first time in history the Snowcross World Championship will be held in Russia. The Technical Sports Centre Semigorje is already locked in to host the event through 2015 and will also hold round 11 of the FIM Motocross World Championship this summer.

At the 2010 Snowcross World Championship in Sweden, Hibbert became the first American to be crowned champion in the history of the event. It was his first competition outside of North America. Last year in Finland, he was the heavy favorite to win but after suffering a mechanical issue in the second of three races, he finished third overall.

Hibbert will depart the United States in the middle of the ISOC National Snocross Tour where he is the reigning champion. His Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 has been modified for the unique race conditions and shipped to Russia. Unlike ISOC, FIM has sound and fuel restrictions and does not allow the use of traction products in the track of the snowmobile.

At least eight countries are slated to send their top riders to compete for the 2012 title including Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the U.S. Entries are also expected from Iceland and Italy.

To stay connected with Hibbert and get up-to-date information on the World Championship event, visit www.tucker-hibbert.com.

Tucker Hibbert – #3 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“The World Championship is an exciting event. It’s a cool opportunity to travel overseas to represent the U.S. Moving the race to Russia is a big deal. Russians are really fired-up about snowmobiling right now so I expect a huge crowd and a great event. Being prepared to race overseas is a serious undertaking. The sled set-up is a lot different than what we race with in the U.S. To try and pack your entire race program into a couple shipping crates is tricky but an exciting challenge. I’ve learned a lot the past two years. We (the team) did our homework and are prepared to bring the title back to the U.S.”

Tucker Hibbert – Third Appearance at FIM Snowcross World Championship
2011 – Tuuri, Finland: 3rd
Race 1: 1st / Race 2: 16th / Race 3: 1st
2010 – Mala, Sweden: 1st
Race 1: 1st / Race 2: 1st / Race 3: 2nd

Fast Facts
• Six-Time National Snocross Champion – 68 National Pro Wins
• 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion
• 10-Time ESPN Winter X Games Medalist

Photo: Red Bull/Rich Van Every

Longville, MN (January 16, 2012) – Levi LaVallee and his Team LaVallee freestyle teammate, Daniel Bodin, were injured in separate training incidents during preparation for the Winter X Games 2012 freestyle and best trick snowmobile competition.

LaVallee broke his left tibia and Bodin suffered fractured vertebra but did not sustain any spinal cord damage and has full movement. Both athletes anticipate a full recovery. But due to their injuries, both will unfortunately miss this year’s Winter X Games.

“I’m super bummed about Daniel and I getting hurt,” said LaVallee. “I was riding on a high after my record distance jump on New Year’s Eve and was pumped for Winter X. And Daniel was working hard to defend his gold medals from last year. I love our sport but it can be cruel sometimes. We will both be back as soon as possible and want to thank our sponsors for their support during this time.”

Quote from our title sponsor, Mystik Lubricants:
“Our thoughts for a speedy recovery are with both Levi and Daniel,” said Karl Schmidt, general manager, Mystik Lubricants, “We look forward to seeing them both back to 100% and on their sleds.”

Photo: Red Bull/Garth Milan

Coming Up for Team LaVallee:
LePage (Pro) and Scott (Pro Lite) will be competing in the 49th Annual World Championship
Snowmobile Derby this coming weekend, held in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
49th Annual World Championship Snowmobile Derby: January 20-22, 2012
For ticketing and information, visit Eagle River Derby Track.

http://www.derbytrack.com/

Logan Christian

Fertile, Minn. (January 9, 2012) – Another weekend of top race results posted in front of a record-sized crowd marked the highlights for Christian Brothers Racing at this past weekend’s ISOC National. The team traveled to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. As it played host to Round 5 and 6 of the ISOC National snocross tour. The horse racing facility just south of Minneapolis, Minn. is historically one of the top venues for fan attendance on the National snocross tour, but Saturday night topped them all as fans filled the racing facility. And, to kick it all off, CBR, Drift Racing and Troy Lee designs presented local up-and-coming singer Jordan Holm to sing the National Anthem at the opening ceremonies (wearing the latest Drift Racing gear, of course).

Logan Christian returned to the team after sitting out one race to let his surgically-repaired knee heal a little more. It’s amazing what a month will do as Christian, who had significant soreness after the Duluth National, was back at 100-percent for Canterbury. While he missed making the final on his first night back on Friday, he went 2-3 in heats on Saturday and earned a spot on the front row for the final.

“I’m so happy to be back racing and for my knee to be back to normal,” said Logan. “I don’t feel like I’ve lost a step and the rest of this season for me is going to be about winning.”

Jordan Holm

Typically a slow starter, Garth Kaufman is already moving up in the finishing order, scoring a fifth place finish Friday night. Kaufman went 4-6 in heats and had to transfer to the final through the LCQ. The back row starting spot didn’t slow him down and he worked his way through the pack from a 12th place start and had slotted himself into 5th by the time the checkered flag came out. On Saturday Kaufman started from the back row again and worked his way up to ninth.

“I feel like I get stronger and my lap times get better as the race goes on,” Garth said. “For me, getting on the front row will be the key to putting my Arctic Cat sled on the podium.”

Cory Davis had an equally-successful weekend transferring to both finals. Davis is back on the National tour after sitting out the snocross season last year in favor of cross-country racing. Davis scored a Top 10 finish on Friday.

“It was a good weekend and the team did a great job getting our sleds dialed in,” said Cory. “There is so much talent out there but I feel like we’re right there with the best, we just need some luck to come out way.”

CBR up-and-comer Evan Christian claimed two podium finishes. His first came in the Transition Limited 8-12 class where he went 1-2 in his heats and finished in second place. It’s clear Evan likes being on the podium because later that day he went 5-1 in Champ 120 qualifying and won it all in the final.

CBR cross-country specialist D.J. Ekre came to Canterbury with the team and raced the Pro Am +30 class where he took a Top 5 finish. Ekre went 3-1 in heats and finished 5th in the final.

Evan Christian high-fives a fan after his Champ 120 win.

“Canterbury was another great weekend for the team,” said team co-owner Dwight Christian. “Our riders and mechanics have been working hard and as a result we’re improving every weekend. The crew has our Drift Racing Troy Lee Designs Arctic Cat snowmobiles working great and it won’t be long before our riders start taking more podium spots.”

Next up for Christian Brothers Racing is the USCC Pine Lake 100 in Gonvick, Minn., January 15. For more information on Christian Brothers Racing visit www.christianbrosracing.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook.